Job Description

Job Title: Bare-Metal Bootloader Expert

Location: Dearborn, MI (Onsite)

Job Type: Full-Time

Position Overview:

We are seeking a highly skilled Bare-Metal Bootloader Expert to join our embedded software development team in Dearborn, MI. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in developing secure, high-performance, and production-grade bootloaders for automotive ECUs and embedded platforms. You will work closely with system architects, security engineers, and hardware teams to design, implement, and validate boot solutions for next-generation electronic control units.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain bare-metal bootloaders for automotive microcontrollers such as NXP S32K3, STM32U5, and Realtek devices.
• Implement secure boot mechanisms, including image authentication, encryption, and firmware integrity verification.
• Develop and integrate Ethernet and DoIP-based reprogramming and communication features.
• Implement OTA (Over-The-Air) and wired firmware update capabilities with diagnostic protocol support (UDS, ISO 14229).
• Work on flash memory management, bootloader partitioning, and multi-bank firmware update mechanisms.
• Collaborate with hardware and system teams to define boot architecture, safety requirements, and hardware-software interfaces.
• Perform debugging and failure analysis using tools like Lauterbach, JTAG, and CANoe.
• Ensure compliance with AUTOSAR, ISO 26262, and Cybersecurity (ISO 21434) standards where applicable.
• Support production and validation teams for ECU programming, flashing, and reprogramming workflows.

Required Skills and Experience

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in embedded software development with a focus on bootloaders and low-level firmware.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ programming for microcontrollers and real-time systems.
• Proven experience with bare-metal development (no OS/RTOS dependency).
• Expertise with NXP S32K3, STM32U5, and Realtek MCU architectures.
• In-depth understanding of flash memory, memory maps, linker scripts, and startup code.
• Hands-on experience with Ethernet, DoIP, UDS, and CAN communication protocols.
• Strong understanding of secure boot, firmware authentication, and cryptographic algorithms (AES, SHA, RSA).
• Familiarity with automotive software standards (ISO 26262, ASPICE, ISO 21434).
• Experience with debug and trace tools (Lauterbach, Trace32, JTAG, ST-Link, PEmicro).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with OTA update frameworks or automotive reprogramming tools.
• Working knowledge of AUTOSAR Bootloader (BSW) and MCAL integration.
• Knowledge of diagnostic stacks, CANoe/CANalyzer scripting, or Vector tools.
• Experience in Python scripting for flashing or test automation.
• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.

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